Walt Disney World

Greetings and a Reminder:

I write this blog as we go through ET Mehta Casting with our daughter Olivia. The blog is intended to inform, possibly inspire, and raise awareness of Infantile Scoliosis and its treatment/cure. Please share our story. For more information please check out http://www.infantilescoliosis.org/ 

T minus 5 weeks until cast number 5 (maybe last cast) is removed! There is a light at the end of the tunnel! So far so good. It took a little adjusting to having the undershirt removable, but it has really helped the skin on Olivia's hips, and she doesn't look as grimy because I can remove and wash the shirt and alternate between the two shirts we have so it's been nice. It's also not as hard as I thought it would be to remove and put on the shirt. Olivia is really helpful. We just do yoga poses to get the shirt back on. I tell her to do "down dog" pose when working the back side, "half moon" pose when working the sides, and then tell her to suck it in when working the front. She likes the game of it!

We just returned from our vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando and had an amazing time! Olivia loved every second of it. She met many characters and most of the princesses. She also did most of the rides. I'm writing about this here because I feel I should mention a great program that Disney provides, which was helpful to us for our visit. When you go to the parks you can get what is known as a Guest Assistance Pass. With this pass we were able to avoid long lines and were provided with shady wait areas when needed. This was great because of my concern with Olivia overheating because of the thick cast. There's no jumping through hoops required and this service is free. If you are planning to go with your little one and they are in a cast, or have any other physical concerns then I highly recommend getting this pass. 

I was also concerned we may have a hard time getting through security with Olivia's cast, but we got through fine with no questions asked. 

On Monday we went to the Magic Kingdom. Here are some pictures from that day.

Our favorites from Epcot:

And lastly from Hollywood Studios:

It truly was a time we won't soon forget.

      

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 I should also note here that it was a somber week for us as well with all that had happened in Boston. In spite of the tragic events that occurred, the response from the civilians involved as well as all the Boston hospitals taking in the wounded, was a true testament of how wonderfully resilient, brave, and strong the people of Massachusetts are. I am proud to be a life long resident of such a "wicked" awesome state.

Boston Children's Hospital sent out a poignant letter in regards to the bombing:

"Dear Boston Children's Hospital Friends,

What should have been a day of celebration became a day of tragedy. We are deeply saddened and troubled by the horrific attack at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

In the midst of this crisis, so many hospital friends have come together, offering moral support, asking if there is anything they can do to help, and checking on the safety and security of our runners and staff. We are grateful that all Boston Children’s employees involved with the Boston Marathon—as well as the 210 runners on our Miles for Miracles team—are safe.

We are proud of our runners for their courage in the face of chaos and the extraordinary hospital staff that came together to care for the youngest victims of this tragedy. David Mooney, MD, MPH, director of our Trauma Program, was on-hand when the first patients arrived on Monday.

This afternoon we were faced with a gut-wrenching situation: children needlessly maimed by a terrorist. I cannot be more impressed with how the hospital staff rose to the occasion. From clinical assistants to attending neurosurgeons, hospital personnel who were close enough to make it just came in, many walking, to see if they could help. Because of their selfless dedication to the children we serve, we had teams of people ready and waiting for the injured children we received, with additional teams on standby in the ED and the OR in case more children should arrive.

I've always been proud to work at Boston Children's, but never more than today.

Dr. Mooney speaks for all of us at the hospital. In the wake of this tragedy, we thank our extraordinary Miles for Miracles team and turn to our community—our employees, and you, our unwavering supporters—for inspiration. You inspire us with your dedication to the hospital, our patients and families, and each other."

It continues to be a relief to know we live so close to such remarkable care, and we are proud to be a part of the Children's Hospital family. I extend a very special thank you to all the first respondents, police, fire, EMTs, and hospitals that have done all they have over the past week, and on a daily basis. 

If you would like to make a donation to help the victims of the marathon bombing you can donate to The One Fund by clicking here. Thank you.

Looking forward to our next adventure! Cast 5 removal and new brace!